BHS is to close after administrators failed to find a buyer for the ailing retailer, likely costing more than 11,000 jobs.

Stores will be wound down in Ashford, Gravesend, Hempstead Valley, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, as well as Bexleyheath and Bromley.

Administrators Duff and Phelps said multiple offers were received but none were able to complete a deal which met the capital needs of the business, which has a pension deficit of more than £570 million.

BHS will close in Ashford

All 163 BHS stores will close in the coming weeks. Duff and Phelps said it would continue to try to sell stores but admitted 8,000 jobs “are likely to go”.

A further 3,000 jobs of non-BHS employees who work in the stores may also be at risk.

Staff at the store in Maidstone said they do not know when the store will close and will continue with a sale of their remaining stock.